Dick Allen

Well, the Twins were also the alleged source of it being true, weren't they?

The dope making out the line up card for the White Sox now might as well be managing the Twins, what with the stance he took on the Hunter/Burke collision. That Backman story was confirmed to be false by Gardenhire last year.

Good for him. He should be managing the White Sox.

Of course it was. It would have been a big steal if all the White Sox got was a half eaten 5 year old bratwurst.

I'm pretty sure the first base coach hasn't determined many wins and loses. I still find it hard to believe the Sox are so down on Santana. He worked with the infielders, and I believe there has been vast improvement in defensive performance under his guidance. I know they were looking for a baserunning guy. How ironic Raines appears to be the man to get the job. His main criticism from management, media and fans when he played here was he didn't steal enough. Really, besides Harris, and I'm with the group who thinks if the Sox have to count on him, its going to be a long year, who isn't really living up to their stolen base potential? Its just another example of Ozzie bringing in another lackey.

Beltran is a great player, he would probably be the best all around player the White Sox have had in the modern era if he signed. There has been a lot of talk that the Sox might be able to offer him a very competitve contract. If he's healthy he's a gold glove and minimum 30/30 guy. He can hit in the 2 spot. The Sox then unload CLee for pitching. You have improved your offense, you have improved your defense, although Carlos did fine in LF, he is not comparible to Beltran defensively, and you upgrade the pitching staff. As to finding room for Sweeney and Anderson. A lot of things happen down the line, dissappointing performances, injuries etc. If Rowand continues his steep rise, and Beltran plays up to his potential, maybe one of the kids moves to first, or to DH, for a while. I know its a longshot, but nobody thought the Sox would get David Wells, Albert Belle, Bartolo Colon...............................

When the White Sox signed Albert Belle for the 1997 season, they had the 4th or 5th highest payroll in all of baseball. Spending more money will not guarantee higher attendance.

The truth eventually will have to come out. Magglio will not be signing a contract without a complete physical. I think Boras may be stretching the truth. He keeps saying its a 3-4 week recovery on his second surgery. Didn't this surgery occur at least 6 weeks ago? Why won't he be ready until December? Personally, I think its a ploy to get the Sox to offer arbitration, which Magglio would except, and gives him time to get fully healthy and get a big contract next year, while playing for a minimum of $11.5 million in 2005. Boras' problem is JR isn't as gullible as other owners, and chances of him falling for this are zero. Boras doesn't like negotiating with JR because JR is an excellent negotiator, and he can't take him to the cleaners like he does others. Boras said Magglio would be made available to White Sox doctors to examine at a later date. Who wants to bet its after the deadline for offering arbitration?

What about last season when they were in first place in the middle of September. They were giving away upper deck tickets for $5 in September against Boston, and couldn't draw 25,000. This season, the Brewers, playing in the cow town of Milwaukee, outdrew the White Sox. 2,000,000 in attendance isn't all that much anymore. The only teams in the AL that draw less than the Sox are their division rivals, which hurts because road teams get a percentage of the gate, and the White Sox therefore wind up playing at least half their away games in half full parks, Tampa Bay and Toronto. The Cubs drew 1.2 million more than the Sox, and their payroll was about $25 million higher. If you took the over 60% increase and added it to the White Sox payroll, it would be approximately $100 million, which would be higher than the Cubs. If you really believe the White Sox attendance would increase over 1 million from current figures if they raised payroll $25-30 million, you really are crazy. The White Sox have the fan support of a middle market team, at best. They have some advantages over the smaller market teams with local t.v. and radio revenue, ect. , not to mention a sweetheart lease deal on their stadium. But until and unless Bridgeport gets more dense in population, the attendance at the park isn't going to go much higher than it is right now, even if they won the World Series.

When? What season?

I think risking at least $11 million on a player who potentially will not be able to play at all, just for a draft pick or 2 is very silly. Maybe Magglio signs with someone before the White Sox have to offer arbitration, I think that's the only way they will offer it to him.

There is nothing wrong or greedy about Magglio hiring Boras to be his agent. He wasn't coming back here anyway. FWIW, JR would negotiate a contract with Boras. In fact, KW tried to get Boras to listen to him about ARod, and 2 years ago, with Maddux. Boras was the one not interested in listening. Concerning the money left over from not signing Colon. There was none. KW has said time and time again that if Colon had signed, he would have had to unload some contracts. The White Sox payroll will go up, and they will have a decent team. I am not too confident in KW to predict a great team, however. Even with an extra $20-30 million to play with, you must select the right players. Just ask Mets fans.

Konerko was hitting the ball to the right side, advancing runners, during the last series in KC. Hawk was praising him, saying here's a guy who is second in the league in home runs, playing meaningless games, and its still more important to him to move the runner along, then try for a home run title. Konerko had a great year. I don't know if his hip is up for another one, but his attitude is outstanding.

The smear campaign is now running on all cylinders. Could you imagine the Wrigley Field surveilance tapes showing Sammy leaving early leaking out even last year. They gave him a couple hours to hide all his corked bats for christsake. The Cubs want to dump Sammy in the worst way, hopefully no one will be stupid enough to bite.

If Frank has ankle fusion surgery, he is probably done playing baseball.

Surgery in Austria suggests that this is some sort of cutting edge or alternative procedure. Makes me think that this is a lot more serious than Magglio would want you to believe. I hope I'm wrong, and Magglio returns 100% healthy whether its with the Sox or not.

If the Cubs trade him, they will have to pick up a bad contract or 2, and/or pay a nice portion of Corky's contract. I hope he stays, he's not a winning ballplayer, his contract hinders the Cubs, and he is sure to distract the rest of his teammates who may be trying to win next season.

American League all the way. Part of me would like to see the Yankees lose in the first round, but if they do, every good free agent will be signed by them this winter. Whatever team represents the AL in the World Series is who I am pulling for.

I think it will hurt attendance. Playing the Yankees in April fills the stands on nights when it would usually be a ghost town. If the Sox are in contention, they will draw 30,000 + no matter who they are playing on a weekend in August. Its really too bad the Sox only get 3 home dates against the Yankees each season. That was such a huge rivalry before divisional play. My grandma would never miss a White Sox/Yankees tilt at Comiskey Park.

Jeff Brantley is less accurate than Peter Gammons. He is a fool who should not be on television, let alone passed off as an "expert". Disregard anything he says.

Ok, he'll only be 35 1/2 on opening day.

Fair market value for 36 year old .215 hitters who strikeout once every three times up, and commits numerous blunders in the field is not as high as Jose thinks, I would guarantee you that.

Unless he signs with a team before arbitration has to be offered. If he did that, the Sox would offer arbitration as a formality, but I doubt that will happen.

The contract is key. Also, don't forget Chicago is the favorite road city of MLB.

Chet had a great show. He had all A list guests, this was back on 670 in the mid to late 80's. He went to NYC for a couple of years and came back. His show wasn't the same when he went to AM1000, although I did win a TIVO from him. BTW, I saw him at the Friday Sox/Cubs game at USCF this year. I believe he still has a show on sporting news radio. Swirsky was great when he had a Sunday night show on the LOOP. He used to have a segment called buffoon of the week. He was great, but really toned down his act when he went to WGN.